I understand Pat MacGregor’s zeal to limit development of the Cornerstone project, but the tool for stopping it shouldn’t be oak trees. We need to reverse the local Oak Tree Ordinance as it kills far more trees than it saves.
At a recent community event in Old Agoura, a new homeowner noted the high percentage of heritage vs. smaller oaks in the area. The longtime residents in the group smiled and laughed nervously.
One person explained the reaction was due to the Oak Tree Ordinance, which protects native trees once they reach a certain size, thereby essentially condemning the property on which it grows by subjecting the homeowner to draconian property restrictions and expensive permits.
I had to agree. My observation after over 20 years of living here is that nearly 100% of annual new saplings on private property—and there are a lot of them—are killed because of this ordinance. I literally do not know anyone who lets them grow.
Nobody wants to be subjected to the increased regulatory oversight and expensive permits just because a tree sprouted.
If we’re really concerned with the long-term health and vitality of the area’s oaks, we’ll drop this misguided ordinance and find a different “spotted owl” for stopping local development.
If we don’t, there won’t be a next generation of heritage oaks on private property.
Joe Cook
Agoura Hills